Some may remember, I recently won a new motherboard thanks to MSI and Tech Report.

I have since purchased a new i7-950, 6gb (2x3gb) of ram, and a Corsair H50 cooler. I have already removed my old mobo, cpu, ram, and I'm ready to install the new goodies. My question is in regards to Windows 7 which is already loaded on my HD. How do I re-activate the OS? Will the system boot up and give my options? My version of Win7 is Professional 64-bit. Thanks

RickyTick wrote:I have since purchased a new i7-950, 6gb (2x3gb) of ram, and a Corsair H50 cooler. I have already removed my old mobo, cpu, ram, and I'm ready to install the new goodies. My question is in regards to Windows 7 which is already loaded on my HD. How do I re-activate the OS? Will the system boot up and give my options? My version of Win7 is Professional 64-bit. Thanks

It should. If it cannot re-activate on its own, it should give you a toll-free number to call where, as JAE always put it a "nice young man from India", will be on the line and you talk to him about re-activation. Technically speaking if your Windows license is "OEM" you are not allowed to change to a different motherboard (considered a "new" computer). However, lots of people just claim it is a straight up replacement and the call centre agent usually let you re-activate. Your call in the end.

The Model M is not for the faint of heart. You either like them or hate them.

My install of Win 7 was a digital download through MSDN, so I don't have a physical media for relaoding or repair. Once I get to the point of "first-boot", I guess I'll figure it out then. It shouldn't be a very big deal, I don't think.

Flying Fox wrote:Should be able to make a USB disk off the download, no?

Yes sir. I was able to put the iso on a USB thumb drive and I loaded it without a problem. It's working great. I did a clean install of the OS,and was able to re-download MS Office. Everything else was free downloads or Steam games. So I'm back to normal with a nice new lickety-split system. Thanks for helping.